Brake Carrier Reinforcement and Direction Marking for Correct Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle brakes face challenges with asymmetric design, leading to high manufacturing complexity and costs, and incorrect assembly risks due to directional components, which complicates correct alignment and increases the risk of component failure during high-force braking.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle brake design with a structurally reinforced outlet side compared to the inlet side, featuring a running direction indicator on the brake carrier to ensure correct alignment and assembly, reducing production costs and enhancing assembly safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the brake carrier is asymmetrically designed with reinforced outlet side to compensate for braking loads, then the reliability under high-force braking is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performance reliabilityVSAvoidbrake carrier design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake carrier is designed with asymmetric reinforcement where the outlet side has increased material thickness and structural support compared to the inlet side. This asymmetry directly addresses the higher braking forces experienced during forward travel while minimizing material usage in less critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement is applied locally only to the outlet side of the brake carrier where it is most needed for handling braking loads. The inlet side and other non-critical areas maintain standard thickness, optimizing the balance between strength and material efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the brake carrier is asymmetrically designed with directional components, then the braking performance is optimized, but the risk of incorrect assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking performanceVSAvoidassembly correctness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A direction indicator arrow is provided on the brake carrier to visually distinguish the correct orientation during assembly. The arrow points in the direction of rotation, providing a clear visual cue to ensure proper installation and prevent incorrect assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The direction indicator is pre-marked on the brake carrier during manufacturing, allowing installers to quickly identify the correct orientation before assembly begins, preventing incorrect installation from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the outlet side of the brake carrier is structurally reinforced, then the strength under braking load is improved, but the material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake carrier strengthVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The brake carrier features localized reinforcement only at the outlet side where structural strength is critical for withstanding braking forces. The inlet side and other non-critical areas maintain standard material thickness, minimizing overall material consumption while ensuring adequate strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric design concentrates material resources on the outlet side which experiences higher stresses during braking, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire brake carrier. This optimizes the strength-to-material-ratio by placing material only where it provides the most benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3797228B1Directional arrow on the brake carrier
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 ZF CV SYST EURO BV
  • EP3797228B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3797228B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3797228B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle brake, in particular utility vehicle disk brake, having a brake carrier with at least one brake pad receptacle, having at least one brake pad which is axially displaceably guided and supported in the brake pad receptacle, and having a brake caliper which is movable axially relative to the brake carrier. According to the invention, it is proposed that the brake carrier is structurally reinforced on the run-out side in relation to the run-in side, and at least one running direction indicator for indicating the first direction of rotation is arranged on the brake carrier.